"No" More Waiting for THE WALKING DEAD

Article first published as THE WALKING DEAD Review Season 5 Episode 1 No Sanctuary on Seat42F.

AMC’s THE WALKING DEAD spoiled much in their previously released trailers (too much if you ask me), but that did not detract from the excitement of last night’s season five premiere, “No Sanctuary.” When last we leave Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and the gang, they are trapped in a train car at the mercy of some wicked cannibals. To no one’s surprise, “No Sanctuary” is the story of how they escape from confinement and how Sanctuary falls. But there are a few unexpected things along the way.

The most surprising element of the episode to me are the flashbacks to Mary (Denise Crosby), Gareth (Andrew J. West), and the others trapped in their own train car. We learn from Mary, just before she becomes zombie chow, that Sanctuary’s mission used to be straight forward and as promised. Then, some jerks took over and raped and murdered the peaceful people. We don’t yet see how the group took back their home, but we now know what has hardened them.

West is a main character this season, which means there’s more story to tell here. Considering the glimpses THE WALKING DEAD gives us of Gareth’s past this week, it’s likely there will be more of these before he (SPOILER!) catches up with our heroes in the present timeline. I can’t say that I’m excited Gareth is sticking around, at least for now, but this is an arc I didn’t expect to see told, and so am intrigued by where it might go.

Is this along the same line the heroes struggle with, finding what is acceptable to survive and what one can live with doing? Gareth is logical and cold, but not overly cruel, unlike The Governor. He’s dispassionate about what he does to his prisoners, and so perhaps can eventually be forgiven, as he’s probably just trying to keep those he cares about safe and fed. Maybe he’s not as much of a monster as he first appears to be.

At the start of the episode, Rick and the others prepare to escape their car, making homemade weapons. This is the confrontation many have been waiting for all summer, a brutal, hand-to-hand scuffle with crude tools. But it doesn’t come. Gareth is too smart for that and drops a gas canister in from the ceiling, taking only four of them out to the slaughter house and not giving the others a chance to fight back.

This leads to a very tense scene in which one or more of our core people could die. There is a moment where it looks like Glenn (Steven Yeun), at least, will bite it, and I found myself racking my brain for memories of the trailer. Is Glenn shown in it? I thought so, but I started to have doubts. THE WALKING DEAD expertly puts our people in these situations where one wonders how it can possibly work out, and many times, it doesn’t, so the suspense is real and it’s hard to trust that the writers will keep our favorites alive.

In fact, there are no casualties among the group in the escape from Terminus. This is acceptable because of the way everything plays out. Rick is able to cut his bonds and free his friends. Carol (Melissa McBride) causes chaos from the outside. Many of Gareth’s people are taken by surprise and slaughtered by Rick and company or by the Walkers that invade. Only in a frantic situation such as this, could our people, single-mindedly focused on fleeing, survive without losing anyone.

“No Sanctuary” also takes time for a bit of character development. Rick really wants to go back and wipe out any remnants of Terminus out of revenge. Everyone else disagrees, but he is adamant. That is, until he sees baby Judith. Then, his human side comes out again. Rick has to turn himself into a monster to protect everyone, but his reaction at being reunited with his infant proves there’s still a compassionate side to him, as does the way he hugs Carol, whom he once banished.

Carol has definitely earned her place back with everyone else. At the start of “No Sanctuary,” she tells Tyreese (Chad L. Coleman) she won’t be staying when they catch up to the group. Yet, there is no sense that she’s leaving at the end. I think Rick’s warm welcome and Daryl’s (Norman Reedus) sweet excitement have changed her mind and let her know she belongs with them. It would be hard to lose her again, one of the best characters on the show, resourceful, caring, and a realist.

Tyreese is the anti-Rick this week. While Rick is seemingly monster until he’s not, Tyreese looks like a wimp. He doesn’t want to kill anyone and allows himself to be baited by the Terminus man he and Carol capture in the woods. This is a beaten Tyreese, one who regrets past actions. But like the captive says, if Tyreese can’t tap into his inner killer, he’s doomed to die. In the end, Tyreese finds the tough side of himself, which comes out so he can protect Judith, the most noble of causes. Thank goodness Tyreese has not been permanently neutered.

Now, everyone is off to the next place. Will it be to D.C., where Eugene (Josh McDermitt) certainly seems prepared to wipe out the Walkers? (Fans of the comic book have reason to doubt him, but the show sometimes chooses its own path, so who knows?) Or will they go somewhere else? And what is Abraham (Michale Cudlitz) hesitant to talk to Rick about?

But wait! If you sit through the entire ending credits, so it appears the episode is done, we get one more surprise: Morgan (Lennie James) is following the group! In the comics, he rejoins Rick and the others after the prison and stays. Might THE WALKING DEAD finally be bringing this fan-favorite, who appears in the pilot and a single season three episode, back in a big way? Show runner Scott Gimple promises the brief glimpse is the start of something, but Morgan’s return is a well-kept secret and no one seems in a hurry to tell us what it might mean going forward.

My only complaint about this is that it’s likely many viewers missed it entirely. We’re used to sitting through the end credits of Marvel movies and such for a stinger, but not so for a television show. It’s a cool precedent, and one THE WALKING DEAD probably won’t use often, as seldom is the payoff worth it like it is in “No Sanctuary.” Hopefully, those that missed it will hear and catch it online. It gives us yet another reason to stick around and watch TALKING DEAD, to ensure we don’t miss anything.

“No Sanctuary” is a terrific return. It’s action-packed, full of great character moments, and contains a number of surprises that even the most ardent fans won’t see coming. The show delivers this sort of installment consistently, and that is why THE WALKING DEAD is my favorite series currently on television, despite much stiff competition.

THE WALKING DEAD airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on AMC.

"A" Great Cliffhanger for THE WALKING DEAD

Article originally written for Seat42F.com

The season finale of AMC’s THE WALKING DEAD, while not featuring very many main characters for most of the run time, still manages to be both satisfying and intense. Simply titled “A,” it tells a revealing, character-focused tale of a small group, while introducing us to the menace of Terminus at large, and bowing out on a heck of a cliffhanger, something this series has never really done before.

“A” begins with Rick (Andrew Lincoln) looking pretty bad, bloody and sitting alone outside a vehicle. Over the next twenty or so minutes, we see flashbacks of Hershel (Scott Wilson) teaching Rick how to lie down his weapons and become a farmer at the prison, a glimpse of happier times, and also see why Rick becomes determined to save Carl’s (Chandler Riggs) soul, a boy more interested in guns than Legos. It provides a missing chapter that not only feels appropriate to examine now, but allows a glimpse of the whole cast together, including those that are no longer living.

We soon find out why Rick is ruminating on this as he, Carl, and Michonne (Danai Gurira) are attacked by Harley (J.D. Evermore) and his gang, a scene taking place prior to messed-up-Rick. All looks hopeless for our heroes in this confrontation as Daryl’s (Norman Reedus) attempt to talk Harley down gets him beat up, a gross, fat man intends to rape Carl, and Rick and Michonne are disarmed and on their knees. Then Rick head butts Harley, tussles for a moment, and rips Harley’s neck open with his teeth, providing the distraction Michonne and Daryl need to take care of the rest of the group.

In this moment, Rick becomes a monster. Getting his hands on the fat man, he not only executes him, but keeps brutally stabbing long after the guy is dead. I can’t say it’s animalistic, as animals are not that cruel, but it goes far beyond what we would think someone with humanity would be capable of. And because Rick worries Carl will see him in a poor light, and that Rick is setting a bad example for Carl, Rick sits outside the truck and thinks back to how he’s raised his son in the past. Has he done enough to protect and nurture Carl’s moral compass?

The thing is, though, Carl doesn’t see Rick as a monster. It appears he does at first, especially when Rick lets a random stranger be torn apart by a pack of walkers without interference. So Michonne tells Carl the full truth, finally, about her rage and the terrible things she did when creating her ‘pets,’ showing why she gets Rick and still has confidence in him, no matter what she witnesses. Carl understands this, as it soon becomes clear, and is just worried that he won’t live up to his father’s example.

This section of “A” is one about holding onto humanity. Michonne did it, having been saved by Andrea and the group. Rick does it, telling Daryl they are brothers as they sit outside the truck, reunited. And now Carl shows that he’s a whole person, too, acknowledging that Rick did what had to be done and that Harley and his men deserve what they get, but also being a vulnerable, caring individual.

In this murky world, sometimes the line between good and bad gets blurred. I think what the first half of “A” does is present a type of person that can survive, but can still be looked up to. The brutality shown is only done in protection of loved ones, not gratuitously. So, at the end of the day, Rick remains the hero everyone, including Carl, can admire.

The back half of the hour finds the four reaching Terminus. Scouting the perimeter, they can’t see anyone, so aren’t able to judge the settlement. Sneaking in the back door, they find Gareth (Andrew J. West) and rest engaged in harmless activities. Allowing themselves to be searched, Rick and company are permitted to keep their weapons, further reinforcing that Terminus is the sanctuary it promises to be, its inhabitants offering welcome.

However, it takes very little time at all for Rick to notice something’s up. No sooner does Mary (Denise Crosby) hand him a plate of food than Rick sees Glenn’s (Steven Yeun) watch, Maggie’s (Lauren Cohan) poncho, and other clues that his friends are present. Rick reacts, grabbing one of the residents, who is soon killed, and then Rick and the others are herded through some creepy spaces and, ultimately, into a rail car where they find everyone in the cast who arrived here last week.

As seemed obvious last week when the others reached Terminus, it’s all a trap. It seems too good to be true, and it is. The happy façade is presented to lure people in, where they are captured and locked up. From glimpses during the herding sequence, it appears the people of Terminus are cannibals, eating those they can catch. Rick and his friends will be livestock for them, and there isn’t a shortage of such, given the voices heard coming from shipping containers. It’s frustrating that Rick follows the path their bullets encourage him to go down, but there isn’t an easy escape option presented at this time.

The thing is, despite losing their weapons and being in a cage, Rick doesn’t lose heart, nor should the viewers. We have seen in “A” what Rick is capable of, even without weapons. And now he’s in a place with most of his comrades. They’re a pretty large group, and the Terminus guys have to enter that car some time to make them come out. Rick will be ready for them. His final line, the ending of the episode, exudes inspiring confidence and determination.

It seems odd that this bleak situation makes for an uplifting cliffhanger, but it’s true. At least everyone is together, and united, they can succeed. It will be a long summer while we wait to see this happen, and there could very well be casualties among our main contingent. At least for now, though, they are locked up among friends.

There remains some questions and wild cards in the scenario. Is Beth (Emily Kinney) in Terminus, a victim or intended meal? What will Carol (Melissa McBride) and Tyreese (Chad L. Coleman) see when they get there? Even if they find Rick’s buried guns, they have a baby with them, making any type of assault difficult, should they see enough clues to attempt attack. Still, “A” is a good place to end things, and a great season finale.

THE WALKING DEAD will return next fall on AMC.

THE WALKING DEAD Is Good to "Us"

Article first written for Seat42F.
 

In the penultimate episode of AMC’s THE WALKING DEAD this season, “Us,” fans finally get to see almost the entire cast in a single hour. True, three sit out, but at least there’s a happy reunion, and some lighter moments for other survivors, too, as the group begins to reform and reach Terminus.

The start of “Us” is Carl (Chandler Riggs) and Michonne (Danai Gurira) goofing off on the railroad tracks, a smiling Rick (Andrew Lincoln) looking on. The relationship between Carl and Michonne, a sibling-like bond, is definitely one of the highlights of the show, and it’s gratifying to see it aired out here in such an amusing exchange. These three will have dark times ahead, which we’ll get to, but for now, they’re about as happy as we’ve ever seen them since THE WALKING DEAD began.

Then we flip to Daryl (Norman Reedus), who isn’t playing well with others in Harley’s (J.D. Evermore) group. A man named Len (Marcus Hester, Banshee) takes it upon himself to bait Daryl, and while Daryl won’t conform to the rules of the gang, he also won’t rise to violence is Harley is around, keeping the peace. In the end, Len oversteps, and Harley has the others kill him for it.

At first, these guys seem only like bad news. But as “Us” plays out and Daryl shares a few conversations with Harley, they begin to seem not so evil. Yes, many of the members are unruly and impolite, but they live by a code, and that has kept them mostly alive. Even Len’s death is a penalty for a crime, not some cruel, senseless thing. Daryl is used to a more compassionate make up of people, but he can readjust to this personality set, given time.

But then we get the bombshell – Harley’s guys are the ones Rick encountered in the house a few episodes ago, and they are tracking Rick down to get revenge. Rick doesn’t deserve it, from our perspective, having acted out of fear in a scary situation. Harley, however, thinks otherwise, and his man Tony (Davi Jay, Treme) is ready to identify Rick when they catch up. If only Daryl knew who they’re after, he could take out Tony and save Rick, as while Daryl may be adapting to these people, he hasn’t shown any sign of loyalty to them, and can’t possibly turn on his former leader.

This means that Harley may not be so agreeable as he pretends to be. After all, Rick only struck after overhearing some dastardly plans. It could have just been Len and others blowing off steam, but at the same time, it could also mean that Harley is just putting on a face to suck Daryl in. Plus, Harley will never fall in line between another leader, thinking his strong hand is needed to keep order, so when these men reach Terminus, it won’t be pretty. This plot leaves a nifty cliffhanger for next week’s big finale.

A huge chunk of “Us” follows another group on their journey. Glenn (Steven Yeun) and his four companions come across the signs Maggie (Lauren Cohan) has been leaving and, seeing that they’re catching up, Glenn makes a concerted effort to push ahead faster. This doesn’t sit well with Rosita (Christian Serratos), who sees that Tara (Alanna Masterson) needs to rest, but won’t stop blindly following Glenn, who saved her. It also doesn’t fly with Abraham (Michael Cudlitz) because rushing endangers his charge, Eugene (Josh McDermitt). And so, at the mouth of a dark, scary tunnel that clearly has walker sounds echoing from it, Glenn and Tara part ways with the other three.

Look, it’s easy to get Glenn’s single-mindedness, but it’s making him stupid. Going around the tunnel would only cost a day (which ends up happening anyway), and at least he knows he’s on Maggie’s trail. Why can’t he put safety ahead of this obsession, satisfied with the fact that Maggie is alive and he’s getting closer? It’s not like the tunnel may be dangerous; it definitely is!

Worse, Glenn is putting Tara in danger and doesn’t see it. Not until Tara gets stuck in the tunnel, that is, and then Glenn refuses to leave her, even though it might cost them both their lives. Glenn does the right thing by her, but only after it’s too late. This version of Glenn is way too stubborn to survive long in the post-apocalyptic world, so it’s a good thing he’s shed before the end of the hour.

While Glenn is stumbling in the dark, Eugene has a change of heart and manipulates the others to the end of the tunnel, hoping to find their friends again. It’s arguable whether this is because Eugene has come to care about anyone else or because he knows they need a bigger group. Ultimately, Eugene convinces the others to go to Terminus to recruit and restock, but again, we still don’t know the socially awkward man’s intentions. I don’t think Eugene is a bad guy, but he is calculating.

Eugene and the others find someone other than Glenn, though – Maggie, Sasha (Sonequa Martin-Green), and Bob (Lawrence Gilliard Jr.). We can assume, though we don’t see it, that Maggie is the one that insists Eugene’s van drive into the tunnel to save Glenn when he doesn’t come out. And just in the nick of time, they rescue Glenn and Tara from the walkers.

If this seems a little too easy a story twist, it is, but it’s hard to care when confronted with Glenn and Maggie in each other’s arms. They’ve both been so determined to find one another, and in this dark existence, every happiness is celebrated. Besides, sometimes coincidences do happen, right?

It’s also nice that Glenn claims to have met Tara along the road. Tara may feel the need to confess her real origins at some point, but Glenn is doing her a favor, not needing to explain herself for her actions at the prison, being only seen as a helpful savior. Tara, after everything she’s done for Glenn, deserves this break.

Then, this eight-member group (!) becomes the first to reach Terminus. It looks ideal, flower gardens and unlocked gates, and is staffed by a single woman named Mary (Denise Crosby, Ray Donovan, Star Trek: The Next Generation), who is welcoming. All this has to be too good to be true, though, right? A beautiful flower luring them in to a deadly trap? I mean, where are the guards and the barricades to stop the walkers? What is Mary’s agenda?

We have a lot left to get through in the final hour. Rick, Michonne, Carl, Tyreese (Chad L. Coleman), and Carol (Melissa McBride), currently in two groups, have to get to Terminus. Harley and Rick must have a show down, which Daryl will likely play a part in. We need to find out what has happened to Beth (Emily Kinney), if she’s still alive. Something tells me the season ender won’t just involve a happy reunion party at the new settlement.

Terminus means “end of the line,” and this is definitely the end of the line for this arc of THE WALKING DEAD. Terminus was also the original name of Atlanta, around which the story has taken place so far, and is likely to move away from after season four. So it’s all a very neat, fitting tie up to a heck of a good tale. Though I am glad the show will continue after this, beginning a new volume.

THE WALKING DEAD airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on AMC.